A special episode of the Teaching Through Emotions podcast brings listeners into the daily lives of educators at the Vahombey Project library in Bekitro, Madagascar.
The episode features direct testimonies from Raissa and Hary, the librarians who manage the library and support students in a community where basic resources are limited.
Listeners will hear about the challenges faced by the school, including overcrowded classrooms, students who sometimes leave their studies without encouragement, and the ongoing collaboration between teachers and librarians to support those who struggle in class.
Jullian Androkae, founder of the Vahombey Project and a longtime producer of the podcast, explains the impact of the initiative: “Working on Teaching through Emotions has informed part of my approach building Vahombey, which has been running for the past 5 years as a beacon of hope for local educators.
“This is all thanks to the perseverance and aptitude of our librarians, whom we hope this episode and fundraiser help tremendously.”
Host Betsy Burris highlights the universal nature of the stories shared: “This episode puts TTE listeners in communication with educators who live 9000 miles away in conditions vastly different from those weʼre used to in the US — but who embody the same values of care and connection that matter in all teaching. Itʼs thrilling to hear Raissaʼs and Haryʼs voices tell stories that all educators can relate to!”
The podcast episode coincides with the launch of a fundraising campaign to address the library’s most urgent needs.
The campaign is to provide 500 books, fund the librarians’ salaries for the next year, add 25 chairs for students, purchase a television for multimedia learning, and repair the library’s terrace and exterior.
Betsy adds: “I feel so lucky to know Jullian and to feel, through him, a connection with the people of Bekitro and the Vahombey project. It blows my mind how even a small donation from any American can make a huge difference in the lives of students, teachers, and librarians so far away. They need our support. So letʼs give it.”
The episode and campaign together aim to strengthen educational opportunities for students in Bekitro and highlight the shared challenges faced by educators worldwide.
Teaching through Emotions is available on all podcast listening platforms.
